Anti-graft activists press Indian gov't for action

Indian anti-corruption campaigners Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev protested Sunday to press the government to act against widespread corruption and bring back hundreds of billions of dollars stashed overseas.The yoga celebrity Ramdev, swaddled in his trademark saffron robe, said he and social activist Hazare would hold more protests through August to bring back black money stashed abroad.The duo held a string of well-publicized hunger strikes last year that focused national attention and ireagainst official corruption so entrenched that bribes are now routine for most government services, from registering a land purchase or marriage to getting a drivers license or securing a childs place in school.Last year, the two demanded legislation for cracking down on government corruption, which Parliament is now debating. In recent weeks, they have called for an investigation into the prime minister and other officials over the alleged loss of billions of dollars in revenues through the underpricing of coal assets. Federal investigators said Friday that they were looking at the claims.Thousands of flag-waving supporters joined Sundays demonstration near Parliament, where Hazare and Ramdev were also holding a symbolic daylong fast. Some protesters donned the same cotton white cap Hazare always wears.The protests, along with the revelations about so-called black money and domestic scandals, have deeply embarrassed the government and sullied Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs squeaky-clean image.While hundreds of billions of dollars have been sent overseas over six decades by companies and the rich seeking to avoid taxes or hide ill-gotten gains, the cash flow abroad increased after India opened its markets, with an average of $16 billion sent abroad each year from 2002-2006, according to a 2010 study by former International Monetary Fund economist Dev Kar.The subject has riled a public that is reeling from rapid inflation, slowing growth and widespread malnutrition affecting hundreds of millions of citizens.Singh, who as finance minister was central to liberalizing Indias economy, has faced ever-louder protests against the theory that capital gains by the countrys richest will trickle down to benefit all.Meanwhile, the government has faced a slew of corruption allegations over the past two years from the murky sale of cell-phone licenses to the hosting of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.Most recently, it was hit in March by a leaked report from the comptroller and auditor general that suggested up to $210 billion in potential revenues were lost as coal assets were sold cheaply, without a competitive bidding process, to leading industrialists and companies that may have been ineligible or fronts.On Friday, Indias Central Bureau of Investigation said it was opening a preliminary investigation into the 2006-2009 coal deals, but estimated the potential losses below $20 billion.Singh has said he will resign if there is any truth to the claims, which the auditor itself said were premature and misleading.Both Hazare and Ramdev have recently attacked the prime minister personally, questioning his leadership and honesty.Some of Hazares aides also objected, however, to teaming up with Ramdev for the protests, as the yoga celebrity himself is facing corruption charges.The black-bearded Ramdev, who insists he is innocent, called on supporters Sunday to hold street protests across India demanding that black money be declared a national treasure and measures be taken to bring it back, according to comments made to reporters as he and Hazare visited a memorial to freedom fighter Mohandas K. Gandhi.